Brian

Harris or Trump? – America Votes

In July 2016 I wrote an article that I shared with a few friends about the Republican nominee for the November 2016 election – Donald Trump. I have copied the article below for interest and reference.

As it turned out America did elect Trump in 2016 and he did exercise the coveted prize of appointing three US Supreme Court Justices. The religious right did turn out to support Trump; however, it would be naive to assume it was only the religious right and a loyal red-neck following that brought Trump to power over Hilary Clinton. In fact, 53% of white women supported Trump even in the face of all the slights he made about women.

In the last 8 years, we saw Trump win in 2016 and then lose the 2020 election to Joe Biden and he never accepted the outcome. Trump fueled a riot on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 from far right extremists. It appeared their goal was to get to Vice President Mike Pence given he would not overturn the results of the 2020 election. A very scary situation for America as their democracy was threatened. Hard to believe that America and the Republicans did not learn more from this insurrection as they have nominated Trump as their candidate for 2024. The litany of name calling, belittling people who do not agree with him and spreading fear to the nation continues unabated. Some Republicans have reacted; however, the majority sits silent and caters to a person who lacks substance and integrity.

The stage is now set for the 2024 election. Trump and J.D. Vance versus Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. To get here I believe both parties made terrible mistakes coming out of the primaries.

It is hard to believe the Republicans surrendered to the Trump train again and are carrying on with such a divisive, shallow and old candidate. His hold on the Republican Party and certain elected Republican politicians is difficult to comprehend.

The Democrats coronated Joe Biden even though his age and declining health became obvious weaknesses. It was not until the Presidential debate in June that it became clear that Biden was not capable of continuing. Pressures came to bare from a broad number of Democrats and their donors and Biden stepped aside in July.

Here is where the 2024 election became interesting because Biden had no hope of beating Trump and he almost lost the election before it happened.

The tables have now turned. It is Trump who is looking old as the Democrats quickly coalesced around Harris. She raised over $200 million as the Democrats donors came on board after Biden stepped aside.

It appears Trump does not know how to deal with Harris as she brings an exuberance and uplifting style that is contrary to his own. He is trying to stay on message about the economy and immigration – his strengths according to the polls – but he still lapses into personal attacks and name calling.

So the question remains – does Harris have the momentum to win the election?

The polls indicate that the race will be close. The national polls do not mean much because the majority of states are clear wins for either the Republications or the Democrats. The 7 battleground states that will decide the election are Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. This is where the money will be spent and the candidates will be dropping into every major battleground city.

So what will it take to win the battleground states?

I see Trump winning if his message on the economy and immigration resinates. In addition, if the electorate thinks Harris and the Democrats are too far to the left, they will opt for Trump again.

For Harris to win, she must convince America to vote for a woman of colour. This is not a stretch given that Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have opened the door for her in previous elections. I believe Harris must continue the wave of momentum that includes women, young people and minorities. If the protection of women’s rights has any meaning, then many of the women who voted for Trump in 2016 should gravitate to Harris in 2024.

There is one significant concern that hangs over the 2024 election. If Trump loses by any amount, will he accept the results or will he empower his base to violence? It’s hard to believe that America, a country that says it values democracy and the rule of law, can have this ominous threat leading up to an election of any kind. Time will tell.

My second cup is now empty…………………..

TRUMP ARTICLE – JULY 2016

Donald Trump is not a true American Conservative. I believe my first noticeable encounter with a true American Conservative occurred in Las Vegas about 12 years ago. Kathy and I were in our favourite comedy club having a drink before the show started. They was a well dressed couple, about 60 years old (not old by today’s standards) from Texas were sitting across from us. After dealing briefly with the usual cross border health care debate issues, the gentleman asked what Canadians thought of the American involvement Iraq. Speaking confidently for all Canadians, I suggested that we were concerned about the military involvement and did not necessarily see the connection between the September 11 terrorist attacks and the invasion. This gentleman emphatically stated that “he believed, as did his wife, that the United States was at war with terrorists”. He seemed comfortable speaking on behalf of his wife and she seemed equally comfortable for him to do so. A true American Conservative. The image of Mike Pence now comes to mind.

When Donald announced his run last summer for the Republican nomination there were skeptics. His position on building a wall with Mexico, his comments about women, his mocking of a disabled reporter, his views on illegal immigrant sponsored violence and his overall tone seemed to be in conflict with what I thought people believed.

I said there is no way in hell that Republicans would be that stupid to nominate Donald Trump. I was wrong. I was not alone.

I made a couple of bad assumptions. You know what happens when you assume. It makes an ass out of you and me (ass-u-me). First off, I discounted that Donald would only appeal to rednecks. Secondly, I assumed that Jeb Bush would carry the nomination because he had appeal in Florida, his wife is of American Spanish heritage and a Clinton – Bush election would be fun to watch.

I got an indication that I was wrong about Donald’s ability to carry the nomination this winter while in Las Vegas. I talked to another Texan and asked why Republicans were not warming to Jeb Bush yet he was the Republican candidate who was raising the most money to fund the campaign? He was very clear. Jeb is not like his brother or father. He is NOT conservative enough. The lights started to come on for me.

It became clear that the mainstream Republican Party is out of touch with the American people who hold conservative beliefs. These people may include rednecks; however, the support is much broader then that. It includes the far right conservative (think religious right) but also includes the lower, middle class group who actually look down on the folks below their position in life (think white male of any religious affiliation) This Class distinction view is the last hold over of the Class system brought to us by our British friends as they spread love and joy around their Empire. Bottom line is that Donald has a broader base of support then was anticipated.

The mainstream Republican Party had no idea how to deal with Donald as he bullied and insulted his way past them to earn the nomination. When it came to the convention coronation, the pillars of the Republican Party acted quite differently. The Bush family, John McCain, John Kasich and other prominent Republicans stayed home because they could not compromise their principles and support Donald. Ted Cruz, protector of the Tea Party and card carrying religious right member, spoke at the convention, at Donald’s request, and had the back bone not to endorse Donald even though he was in the lion’s den. Others like Chris Christie and Paul Ryan put aside Donald’s personal insults and compromised themselves to try and get closer to the trough. Very sad.

Donald made a wonderful political choice for a running mate with Mike Pence. Mike will solidify the religious right and calmly promote his position. You see, he is a true American Conservative. He will also stand by and watch Donald promote fear and doom for America while declaring that he alone can save America!

The Republican Party dearly wants to win in November, not only to have the Presidency and satisfy their hate for Hilary, but to control the nomination for the vacant Supreme Court position. This prize has the ability to shape a divided Supreme Court and influence the direction of American law for many years to come.

I think Hilary also made a good running made choice in Tim Kaine. He should appeal to the ever popular white male vote and the Democrats need to win Virginia. The fact that he is not liberal enough for the Bernie Sanders supporters will mean nothing in November. The Sanders people cannot vote for Donald and they cannot stay home (as some Republicans will do) because they have to stop Donald. They will get on their bicycles (probably made in China) and ride to the polls to vote for Hilary and Bill Clinton in November.

I expect there is no way in hell the American people are stupid enough to……………..

God Bless America!

My second cup is now empty………

Lisbon – Porto – April 2024

Stanley Cup Final – Las Vegas 2023

Russia invades Ukraine: The Failure of an Appeasement Policy

We are all familiar with the school yard bully. He usually exerted physical dominance and was in a habit of getting what he wanted by threatening and abusing others. He surrounded himself with people who were either like minded or they were themselves intimidated and fell into line behind the bully.

The bully succeeded for a number of reasons. Some of his victims avoided him while others were content to stand by as the bully harassed other kids. The “so long as it’s not happening to me” scenario. Some kids tried to be nice to the bully, some even praised him for his power, and rationalized how he really wasn’t such a bad guy once you got to know him. Probably best to appease the bully and perhaps he would just go away or at least leave me alone.

The policy of appeasement is not restricted to the playground because a bully grows up and acts the same way as an adult.

Europe and the West appeased Russia for years and now the Ukraine is feeling the full affects of a bully flexing his empowered muscles. How could the World not see this coming? There was Georgia and then the Crimea. Each time the West was outraged and implemented some modest sanctions that ultimately meant nothing. The pattern of abuse by Russia was clear. Perhaps the ultimate insult to victims everywhere was when a United States President legitimized the bully by praising and, thereby, further empowering him.

So how did Russia get into a position to capitalize on the policy of appeasement? Oil and natural gas.

The Russian economy is abysmal in relation to the size of their population. They make up about 2% of the World economy which is the same as Canada but they have almost 4 times the population of Canada. The substantial Russian oil and natural gas revenues have benefited their leader and the Oligarchs. The Russian people continue to suffer under Communism and they do not share in the oil and natural gas wealth. It is this wealth that has financed the war on other sovereign countries.

Given the Russian history under their current leader, how could Europe become dependent on Russian oil and natural gas and at the same time the United States and Canada made no meaningful objections? In fact, the United States and Canada import Russian oil.

A number of pipelines flow from Russia through the Ukraine to Europe and the Nord Stream pipeline carries natural gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The Germans liked the idea so much they agreed to a parallel line called Nord Stream 2. The second line is complete but certification is on hold given the Russian unprovoked attack on the Ukraine. Will future Russian appeasement see the Nord Stream 2 line operational?

The political influences of socialist policies in Germany has lead to the closure of their nuclear power plants. The hope for sustainable wind and solar power is but a dream when you consider the demand for power. Hence the dependence on Russian oil and natural gas. The same political influences exist in the United States and Canada where the Keystone Pipeline has been cancelled and new energy projects are draped in red tape and propaganda that insists oil is dirty. A west to east pipeline in Canada is shunned while Ontario and Quebec rely on foreign oil from jurisdictions that do not adhere to the same standards our Canadian companies must operate in.

It is worth noting that the current Russian sanctions by the United States and Europe do not mention Russian oil and natural gas. Does the appeasement effectively continue?

Sadly, we watch the Ukraine being devastated by a bully and the only way we can assist is by hurting Russia economically. The Ukrainian people must fight for their own destiny as do the Russian people. If they want something better it is up to them.

It is time to recognize the Russian leader for what he is and isolate him and his friends financially such that he is not in a position to wage war on innocent people. This isolation must continue long after the current conflict has subsided and the policy of appeasement must stop.

My second cup is now empty……………………..

A Teacher, A Memory and A Thoughtful Gift

Anyone born in rural Saskatchewan before 1950 most likely took their education in a one room schoolhouse. My parents and their siblings fell into this category and attended one room schools in the Wallwort and Everton School Districts.

The grade levels were small in number and the teachers had to provide education to a diverse group of students, both in age levels and in learning abilities. Can you imagine being the teacher in these situations? How could they keep all the students engaged as they tried to cover the lessons? In addition, students missed many school days because they were needed to work at home or the winter weather prevented them from getting to school. My father spoke of times when the weather was really cold and their family didn’t have enough warm clothes for all the children to go to school on the same day.

One rural school teacher was Eugene Anderson and he taught for 14 years at Everton from about 1940 to 1954. My mother and her siblings attended his classes and spoke very highly of the education they received and loved his focus on athletics. There was considerable competition between school districts and the annual field days brought out the best in the student athletes. I recall my mother telling me the pride they had in “besting” the other schools and the credit was given to Mr. Anderson for preparing them for the events.

For many young people of the era, formal school ended at grade 8 as they needed to go to work at home or in the area to provide support for their family. This was the case for my parents and I know my mother wished she could have continued to learn from Mr. Anderson. Her younger siblings were fortunate to have him teach them for the majority of their school years.

I never knew Eugene Anderson. His name was revived for me a couple of weeks ago when his daughter, Gail, contacted me about a painting she had of my grandparents'(my father’s parents) log house in rural Saskatchewan near Wallwort. There have been a few published photos of this house and I have seen numerous paintings by another artist from the area. The memory of this log house is very strong for our family and I remember visiting it a couple of times as a small child in the 1960s. The stone chimney is amazing and all built by my grandparents.

It was very thoughtful of Gail to track me down via my Aunt Lorraine. These paintings are easily lost over time as many people do not have a connection to the subject. Gail thought of our family and shared the gift of this painting with us. Mr. Anderson painted the house from a photo published in a newspaper and the detail is wonderful. I expect it was special for him as well because he knew my parents and my grandparents. Truly a gifted man and splendid individual.

As with many farmhouses in Saskatchewan they fell into disrepair as people traded rural life for urban living. The houses either grew tired and fell down or became the victims of vandals and were destroyed. My grandparents log house suffered from the latter and it has been gone for many years.

Thankfully the memory will live on because of the talented art of a teacher and the thoughtfulness of his daughter.

My second cup is now empty…………………………….

Covid-19, Our Cabin and Quilts

2020 was a year like no other. As we enter 2021, Covid 19 is still going in full force. The case load is rising in many parts of Canada and the vaccines are just getting under way. Fingers are being pointed and blame is being assigned – all a waste of energy because governments of all political stripes are trying their best and hopefully we learn from our experiences. The loss of life is tragic and death is targeting older people, many with underlying conditions. The disappointing part is when individuals flaunt the rules and see themselves with a sense of entitlement not afforded others. Our rules are not the problem – the lack of compliance is.

In a year of such significance and turmoil, we purchased a cabin in northern Saskatchewan in January. We took possession on April 1st just as the realities of Covid-19 were becoming very apparent. The stock market reached its low on March 23rd and we really had to wonder if it was a good idea to make such a major purchase with so much uncertainty. As it turned out, it was the best thing we could have done and we have been reaping the rewards ever since. Now we know what our friends meant when they told us how much their cabin means to their family.

One of the interesting things that has happened with Covid-19 is that people are not travelling so all things recreation have been in high demand. These businesses have done well while other business sectors have suffered dramatically. All things are not equal in a pandemic.

The most noticeable change for us has been the inability to travel and now the inability to see our family as the Covid-19 restrictions have been tightened for over a month. We do video calls with our friends and family but it is not the same. We talk about amazing trips we have had to Napa, Europe, Florida and Las Vegas and hope we have not taken them for granted.

We talk with our friends about the people we all met in Montenegro that created friendships far beyond the few days we were there. We know Montenegro has been hit hard by Covid-19 and we can only hope the country comes back driven by the spirit we saw when we toured the country. When the world is right, we need to get back to taste the rakija and share a meal.

Our cabin with lights up before the snow arrived.

The cabin has been a fantastic getaway. The north is so peaceful and the air is fresh. The silence at night is unlike anything the majority of the world knows. There is something about sitting in the backyard by the fire pit with your family and friends that cannot be duplicated.

We watch the deer stroll by on a regular basis. They leave the area when the people numbers increase over the summer and they return in the early fall. It is common to see them on the walking trails and on the winter snowmobile trails. If you’re lucky you may even see a bear or a moose when out for a drive. The coyotes and fox are also plentiful. All this wildlife reminds me of growing up on a farm in northeast Saskatchewan where we had all the same wildlife around our farm.

A cuban cigar and fire pit makes the day worthwhile!

From fishing in the summer to snowmobiling in the winter, we have spent a lot of time enjoying the north. It’s really amazing to see the four seasons from a lake perspective. For people who do not get to experience winter, I can tell you it is as amazing as you make it. Snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling are winter activities that make winter more than bearable!

Sharing a walking trail with a white-tail buck.

First day with a new snowmobile on the Lake.

*Ice fishing shack and the ride to get there. 16 inches of ice in early December.*

So what do quilts have to do with Covid-19?

Kathy makes quilts and gives them away to so many friends, family and even people she has not even met. These quilts are a symbol of kindness and friendship that stand out in the Covid-19 year we have experienced. The quilts are also sprinkled throughout our cabin.

Kathy has been making and giving away quilts and blankets for years so 2020 was nothing new. New babies, friends birthdays, children experiencing health issues, friends retiring, accident victims, and mostly because someone either needed one or they are just special people. Pure kindness and no expectation of recognition. Isn’t this exactly what we needed in 2020? Isn’t this exactly what we need all the time?

So where are we headed in 2021? Hard to tell but I know we will somehow beat Covid-19. I know our cabin will be important to our family and I know Kathy will continue to be the kindest person I know!

My second cup is now empty…………………………

Covid 19: I just want a handshake and a holiday

When I grew up a handshake was a sign of greeting and it also sealed a goodbye. Of course, in more personal situations, a hug or a peck on the cheek worked as well! Business agreements were consummated with a handshake and nothing more was required. Your word was your bond and the handshake completed the transaction.

We did not get to holiday much as kids but we have been fortunate in our adult life to travel a good part of Canada, the United States and parts of Europe. We have become accustomed to planning a holiday and going away without any issues.

Covid 19 has changed both the handshake and the holiday. They have been stolen from us – at least for now.

Will we return to the past or are we changed forever?

Will future generations know the power of a handshake or the thrill of planning and going on a distant holiday?

The handshake correctly went away early with the onslaught of Covid. The threat of virus transmission was just too much to risk and the replacement with an elbow bump just feels awkward. Time may create normality for the elbow bump but can anything replace a human touch? The handshake was a sign of peace and welcoming that will be hard to replace.

We were in Hawaii in March 2020 when Covid accelerated in the United States and Canada. It almost felt unbelievable how fast things were changing and how little our government health advisors actually knew about what was going on. By the time we got home things were rapidly changing and we were in self quarantine for 14 days. It would be almost three months before we would enter a restaurant again.

In March and April we hoped things would start taking shape and return to normal by summer. We were wrong. It is now late August and more questions remain than we have answers for.

International, national and even regional travel ended by March 2020. We were a country locked down and it was hard to disagree with these decisions. Holiday travel of any kind was put on hold.

So what is the holiday outlook now?

We postponed a September 2020 holiday to Ireland and Scotland for one year and our fall Las Vegas trip is just about extinct. We are not particularly hopeful for a winter holiday as the United States is having a difficult time getting Covid under control. After adjusting for population, the United States is still running at 10 times the daily Covid cases as compared to Canada.

This summer has been very different as all community events and sporting events have been shuttered. As we move into the colder weather of fall and winter, I expect Canadians will be anxious to get away for a warm holiday and it is not looking good right now.

For us and some of our travelling friends, it may take an approved vaccine before we venture out for travel to the United States and Europe. This vaccine is unlikely to be available until the summer of 2021.

We miss the travel, the food and the people you meet along the way – the Beer Haus in Las Vegas, a bowl of goulash in Budapest, the canals of Amsterdam, the beauty of Indian Shores in Florida and the warm winter beaches in Hawaii.

We don’t feel hard done by because we are healthy and enjoy the best of what life has to offer with our boys close by.

It’s just on many days, I could use a good handshake and a holiday.

My second cup is now empty…………………..

A Real Hero – My Father

On December 28, 1949 a fire broke out on the main floor of my grandfather’s house and it would change my father’s life forever. The following is a recently found article from the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, January 3, 1950, that gives a written account of the events of that day. Our family knew the story from accounts told directly to us by our father and mother and by our aunts who were rescued. My grandfather also provided an account of what happened in a family book he wrote.

My parents were married in July 1948 and their first son, my brother, was born in August 1949. They were spending the 1949 Christmas at my grandparent’s farm when the fire was accidentally started. My father faced the flames twice – once to help get my mother and brother out of the house and a second time when he went back in the burning house to the upstairs to rescue my two aunts aged 6 and 4.

Dad told us he wrapped the girls in blankets and ran down the stairs through the flames to safety. He was severely burned on his hands and face. The scars lasted forever but my aunts, Dianne and Lorraine, were not injured and have lived wonderful lives with their own families. My aunt Dianne gave the eulogy at my father’s funeral following his death on January 8, 2003 and said he was her hero. He was almost 75 years old.

It took a long time to travel the 28 miles from rural Saskatchewan, in the dead of winter, to the Tisdale hospital given the burns my father sustained. The family did not have a car so they had to travel by horse and buggy. He always spoke highly of the care he received in Tisdale and the subsequent care in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

There were many weeks in hospital where pins had to be inserted in some of my Dad’s fingers for them to function because the fingers were burned so bad. There was a concern that he would lose his right hand but all worked out in the end. At Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, Dr. Gerrard was doing new, exploratory work with skin grafting. Dr. Gerrard was able to take skin from my father’s back and inner arms and graft the skin onto his nose and face. It was nothing short of amazing the work that was done in 1950. My father credits these medical people with him enjoying a fruitful and productive life. Grace Hospital was operated by the Salvation Army and was the first Salvation Army hospital in Canada.

Another significant point that Dad always mentioned related to the cost of his treatment in Tisdale and Winnipeg. He never paid anything because they had no money. There was a small bill from the Grace Hospital, which I copied below, that covered the basic hospital stay and incidentals; however, Dad did not remember who paid the account. It is safe to say the Canadian taxpayer covered all the costs and this represents a case in point that the Canadian Health care system works.

It is with gratitude and with considerable humbleness that my wife and I have been able to support Saskatoon Hospitals over the last number of years. We are blessed in Canada for many things and our health care system is but one.

For over 50 years Dad worked, raised a family and never complained. In the winter the cold affected the pins in his hands and yet most of his work was done outside from cutting trees to feeding cattle. His face was also susceptible to the cold and it must have been so difficult working outside.

Given his circumstances he could have taken an easier route and accessed the Canadian safety net system beyond what the health care system initially provided. He never did. He worked and paid his bills and was an inspiration to any of us who knew his story.

My mother also deserves a word for her work while Dad was in hospital and during the years that followed. She worked hard and had very little in terms of material things. I’m so proud of both of them.

My father never received recognition of any kind for what he did that cold December day in 1949. He simply did what he had to do when the circumstances presented themselves.

Was he a hero – of course. Was he my hero – always.

My second cup is now empty……………..

Amsterdam – May 2019

My wife and I went to Europe for three weeks in May 2019 and covered Budapest, Croatia, Montenegro and Amsterdam. I will break the trip into four different reviews as they each deserve their own attention.

We flew into Amsterdam from Podgorica, Montenegro on Polish Air. All was good.

This was our first trip to Amsterdam and we took a taxi from the airport. It was a Sunday and a main road was closed for the weekend for construction so the taxi ride was quite a bit more expensive. Perhaps consider Uber as an option. We used Uber to get back to the airport and it was about 35 Euro.

We stayed five nights at the La Remise B & B. The location is perfect and the breakfast is very good. The room and bathroom was quite large and we were very comfortable. There are some steep stairs that could bother some people; however, all was good for us. There are lots of restaurants in the area and decent walking distance to many attractions. The Rijks Museum was basically around the corner as were the tour bus stop and canal tour stop. We will stay at La Remise when we return to Amsterdam. We paid about $300 CDN per night ($225 USD) for the La Remise B & B.

We did a City bus tour to get a feel for the City and it gave us some good information. The canals are fabulous to look at and they seem endless. Walking is flat and easy because there is so much to look at as you stroll around.

A few of the 2500 house boats in Amsterdam.

We toured the Rijks Museum and it was very nice. They had an additional Rembrandt showing to compliment the permanent painting in their collection. We could not get into the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House because the online tickets were sold out well in advance. This would be a tip for planning as you need to order these tickets well in advance.

I took this picture to show the baby’s “Muscles” and the “Abs”!

A Rembrandt, “*Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild*“.

We walked to the De Gooyer Windmill which is the tallest in the Netherlands. There was no tour as it is closed and you can only enjoy the visual aspects of this Dutch icon.

We continued our walk to the Dutch Resistance Museum. This is well worth the time, particularly if you are interested in WWII history. Be sure to use the free listening device and move slowly as you learn how it works.

The Red Light District is an easy walk through. It is not that big and we were not interested in stopping. Kind of sad actually.

A nice treat was the Reypenaer Wine and Cheese Tasting. We received a good presentation of various Dutch cheeses with some good wine pairings. It took about an hour and we has a good time. Highly recommend this and suggest you book online in advance.

https://www.reypenaercheese.com/en/home

We went to two markets. One was the Blumen flower market and the other was on Albert Cuypstraat street. The flower market is centrally located and, aside from the flowers, there are mostly souvenirs.

The Albert market is huge and is on a closed street. Lots of good souvenirs, clothes and street food. The chicken we had was excellent. I even purchased a jacket. If you buy anything over 50 Euro you can get the tax back at the airport before you go through security to board your flight. Be sure the sales invoice clearly shows the amount of tax paid or you may encounter problems getting the tax back.

The canal tour we took was about 90 minutes and is a great way to see the City from the water. The tour is narrated to point out some of the building highlights. You really notice how quiet it is on the water and you will appreciate this relaxing time. This tour is a must if you are going to Amsterdam.

Our walks always included a stop for coffee or beer. No problem finding good places to stop.

The tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands.

We found some great restaurants by checking on Trip Advisor. The Chicken Bar had a simple menu of rotisserie chicken and side dishes and it is well worth going to. We did not have a reservation but you may need one in the future.

http://chickenbar.amsterdam/en/about/

The Pantry was our best find as the food was excellent and the service was equally as good. We went without a reservation and got in only because they had a no show. The Dutch traditional meal was amazing! It was so good we made a reservation for the next night. I tried the beef stew, potato and red cabbage. My wife could not resist having the traditional Dutch meal for a second time. With the main courses, small salads, dessert, sparkling water, a bottle of wine, the total bill came to $110 CDN ($80 USD) before tip. we thought his was very good and very affordable. Other places are more expensive. Be sure to make a reservation.

https://www.thepantry.nl/en/

A traditional Dutch meal at “The Pantry”. Soooooo good!

Just another postcard type photo in Amsterdam.

As you move around Amsterdam be aware of all the bicycles and motorbikes. They know where they are going and as tourists we are novices in the city. Look both ways and see when it is safe to cross the road, bike lane and sometimes a train track as well.

Amsterdam is a fairly expensive city. Be prepared for this ahead of time to avoid surprises. We had no trouble finding affordable restaurants.

Amsterdam has a lot to offer for a vacation. We will be back to cover many of the places we did not see. Can’t wait!

My second cup is now empty…………………………

Montenegro – May 2019 – Don’t Miss this Trip!

We spent a week in Montenegro on a privately guided tour and it was fantastic! This is the way to see Montenegro and in particular the way to meet the wonderfully proud people of Montenegro.

Our friends did the same tour last year and because of their rave reviews we booked for May this year. We could not have been happier with the tour, the people involved in the tour and all the Montenegrins who opened their homes to us to speak of their heritage and their country. The tour company is Montenegro Eco Adventures “MEA” [EDIT New Name Nikena Eco Adventures] and the manager is a dedicated young man – Nikola Radovic. Contact information. Email info@montenegro-eco.com. WhatsApp +382 69 123 076

The website for Nikena Eco Adventures is montenegro-eco.com

The tour is special because Nikola knows so many people and he has the contacts in order to book places to visit that are meaningful to really get to know Montenegro. You could never get this on a self-guided tour. The tour is very affordable by any tour standards and Nikola is very responsive to questions and flexible to tailor a tour to your needs.

Our guide, Djordje, was simply the best. Like Nikola, Djordje knows everyone. We never went into a city or village without someone coming up to Djordje to say hello. How can you beat this type of local connection? You can’t.

Djordje picked us up in Dubrovnik in a very modern, comfortable van. It was just the three of us for the week so we had plenty of room for our bags. The tour was well planned and we always knew well in advance what we would be doing for the day. The attention to detail by MEA is clear and noticeable. The B & B accommodations were excellent and we would not have changed any of them. I will not necessarily speak directly to each one because we would not hesitate to stay in them again.

KOTOR

Kotor is a coastal city protected by Boka Bay (actually makes up four bays) and we stayed there two nights at the Babilon Apartments. We toured the old city where the cruise ships dock and would have spent more time there if the weather had been better. The town of Perast was historically the protector of Kotor as all ships had to pass by Perast to enter Kotor. There is a narrow entrance into the bay near Perast that provides a natural fortification for Kotor.

View of Boka Bay from a stone village higher in the mountains.

Narrow entrance to Perast before arriving in Kotor.

Using Kotor as our base, we travelled for a boat tour to the Blue Caves on the Adriatic coast near the entrance to Boka Bay. The cave is relatively small but the blue water is nice and it gets very busy there during the peak tourist time of July and August.

Blue Caves near the entrance to Boka Bay on the Adriatic Sea.

We made an afternoon stop at Klinci Village Resort for lunch and a talk with a 17th generation Montenegrin. The Sarma (cabbage rolls) were very good and it was preceded by a drink of Rakija and followed by more lunch. Most meals in Montenegro start with a shot of Rakija which is made of most types of fruit and is 40% to 50% alcohol. There is always tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, bread and prosciutto to start as well. No need for supper in Montenegro after the big lunches!

We brought Saskatoon Berry jam to give as a gift to our hosts at the various places we stopped. The gifts were much appreciated as were the few words we used in Montenegrin to show our respect for the Montenegrin people and their culture.

It was fascinating to listen to Bogdan speak of his family history and the current transition from Communism to a market system. The pride is evident and the challenges are real.

A view of Kotor from the switchback road leaving Kotor before going over the mountain.

NATIONAL PARK LOVCEN and CETINJE

We travelled from Kotor to the National Park Lovcen over a switchback highway with spectacular views of Boka Bay and Kotor. These were some of the prettiest views you will see in the world. For comparison, think of the the Icefield Parkway from Jaspar National Park to Banff National Park in Canada.

We did a 10 kilometre hike in National Park Lovcen and it was enjoyable and quite workable. We stayed at the Monte Rosa in the Park and it was a nice hotel with good food.

A view of Boka Bay from our hike in National Park Lovcen.

After leaving National Park Lovcen we went to Cetinje, the former capital of Montenegro. The capital was moved to the mountains in Cetinje after 1452 when the Ottomans invaded Montenegro. We toured the city, including a monastery and King Nicholas I’s home. Nicholas reigned as the sovereign prince of Montenegro from 1860 to 1918.

A church in Cetinje surrounded by ruins of the original church.

In the afternoon we had lunch and a visit to the home of a honey farmer and fruit grower. The owner made honey from his hives and made liquor from the fruit he grew. His Rakija and brandy was excellent. The lunch was tasty and large in keeping with Montenegrin hospitality.

Brian with our host wearing the traditional Montenegrin hats. Note the variety of Rakija drinks on the table. We bought some to bring home.

VIRPAZAR – SKADAR LAKE

Our next two nights were spent in Virpazar which is on Skadar Lake. What a beautiful area. We have left the mountains and moved back down to the water.

A view on the drive from Cetinje to Virpazar near Skadar Lake

We stayed at the Country House Djurisic hosted by Marko. Marko is hands down the most passionate B & B owner we have ever met. He is young, energetic and very proud his history and he wants his B & B to be the best. His attention to detail and caring for his guests far exceeds the standards of most hosts. If you visit Montenegro you must meet Marko.

A view from our balcony at Marko’s place in Virpazar.

We had the new studio apartment Marko built. Look at the balcony and imagine supper overlooking the valley.

A monstrous and delicious supper prepared by Marko’s mother and delivered to our balcony by Marko. The wine is made by Marko as well.

We had a 5 hour private boat tour of Skadar Lake. The weather was good and Miro our boat guide was knowledgable about the area and about the lake. We stopped for lunch at a fishing village and had some amazing fish soup and baked trout. Skadar Lake is quite large and is situated in both Montenegro and Albania.

A view from our lunch stop at a fishing village on Skadar Lake.

PODGORICA – MOUNTAIN AREA

Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro and we stayed here two nights as we toured the mountain area north and east of Podgorica. Our boutique hotel was the Hemera and the service was excellent. We were very busy these two days and really need to go back to Podgorica to see more of the city.

On our first full day we travelled to the mountains to see a forest which has some of the oldest trees in the world. We did a short walk at a lake in the forest before stopping for a coffee break. After we made our way to a rural household of a woodcarver. He carves portraits as well as the traditional Montenegrin string instrument, the Gusle. The Gusle was played as stories were sung by the singer to pass on the history of heroes to other generations.

These falls are Montenegro’s “Niagara Falls”. Smaller than the real deal but still impressive.

Standing on the dock on a small glacial lake in the old forest.

We had a wonderful lunch at the woodcarver’s home. They made a potato and cheese dish that was fried and mixed with cream cheese for serving with sour cream as well. Lots of calories for hardworking tourists! Naturally, we had many varieties of Rakija before the tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, bread and prosciutto were served.

Brian playing the Gusle while wearing the traditional Montenegrin hat. Note the number of hand carved Gusle’s on the wall.

On our last full day in Montenegro we went up to the Ostrog Monastery which is built into the mountains 900 meters high above the Zeta Valley. The high, remote area provided security for the relics during the Ottoman occupation. This is a pilgrimage spot for many devote Orthodox Christians.

In the afternoon, we traveled into the countryside in the area of Niksicko, known for their beer making, to visit Svetozar’s house for a traditional Montenegrin “meal under the bell”. This was a special treat in so many ways. The taste of the food could only be surpassed by the hospitality and fun we had with the hosts.

Svetozar was interested in knowing about our Canadian heritage and he provided us with his family history and we toured his wine and liquor making building. His Rakija was excellent and it burned nicely when tossed onto the fire. The 50% alcohol aided the burning process!

The meal was superb as we expected from the wonderful smell as it was cooking. A feast to be sure. This is another of the “can’t miss” places to visit in Montenegro.

Svetozar holding the cover for the lamb and veal already cooking over the fire.

The vegetables just added to the cooking pot.

On the last morning in Podgorica we went to the Radevic Estate Winery, hosted by the owner, a retired Doctor who is a 21st generation Montenegrin. The wines we tasted were very good and the chardonnay is perhaps the best I have tasted anywhere. His buildings are impressive and his 1,500 case production is sold in New York and to high end restaurants. The pride of ownership, heritage and quality are front and centre.

The following sign in the sales office speaks to a good sense of humour as well.

Alas, our time in Montenegro came to an end. We were sad to leave Montenegro and it was easy to know why – the people we met.

Over time we may not remember the view of a mountain or the water; however, we will not soon forget the people and hospitality that is Montenegro. With young entrepreneurs we met like Nikola, Djordje and Marko, we know Montenegro is in good hands. Thank you, my friends.

My second cup is now empty…………………………..

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